Dodai Stewart

Today, President Barack Obama took a public oath of office and began his second term as President of the United States of America. While the ceremony was by all accounts smaller than the one four years ago, it was still full of tradition, flag-waving, pomp and circumstance. Check out these memorable images from the event.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Gustavo Cinfuentes (L) and Greg Josken hug near the U.S. Capitol building as they stand on the National Mall waiting for the start of the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Official caption from Getty Images:

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Susannah Ward (L) and Daniela Zara and others gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Official caption from Getty Images:

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Rickita Glass (L) and Kelly Grimes and others gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Official caption from Getty Images:

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Sydney Yochum sits on the shoulders of Luis Lauro Lopez near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall as they and others wait for the start of the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Official caption from Getty Images:

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: People lie and sit on the ground as they gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Official caption from Getty Images:

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: People walk past a homeless man who did not want to be identified on their way to the National Mall to attend the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama, will be ceremonially sworn in for his second term today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)